The Surfing Federation of India (SFI) has officially announced the sixth edition of the Indian Open of Surfing (IOS), set to be held from May 30 to June 1 at Sasihithlu Beach in Mangaluru, Karnataka. The premier event, recognised by the International Surfing Association (ISA), will serve as the second stop in the National Surfing Championship series.
Organised by the Surfing Swami Foundation and hosted by the Mantra Surf Club, the three-day competition will feature some of the country’s top surfing talent across four categories: Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Groms (Under-16) Boys, and Groms (Under-16) Girls.
Following the International Surfing Festival held in Varkala, Kerala in April, the IOS is a critical fixture in the national circuit. It not only promises high-octane rivalry between surfers from India’s east and west coasts but also awards key ranking points that influence national standings and international qualification.
The upcoming event holds increased significance in light of India’s recent success at the 2024 Asian Surfing Championship in the Maldives, where the national team secured its first-ever qualification spots for a multisport event — the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
“We are pleased to announce the sixth edition of the Indian Open of Surfing — the premier surfing event on the west coast since its inception,” said Arun Vasu, President of the Surfing Federation of India. “Last year was historic, with Indian surfers earning spots for the Asian Games for the first time. As we look toward Aichi-Nagoya 2026, we expect an even higher level of competition.”
Among the athletes expected to compete are Kishore Kumar, Harish Muthu, Kamali P, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani — all of whom have delivered strong performances at recent international and national tournaments, including the Maruhaba Cup and Asian Surfing Championship. In 2024, India’s national team finished fifth in Asia, a remarkable achievement that underscored the sport’s growing stature in the country.
Rammohan Paranjape, Vice President of SFI and Director of the Mantra Surf Club, emphasized the event’s local significance. “This championship holds a special place in my heart, as we at Mantra Surf Club have been organizing it since the beginning. With continued support from the Karnataka government and our corporate partners, we hope this year’s edition will have an even greater impact, especially after the boost from our Asian Games qualification.”
Ahead of the IOS, the Surfing Swami Foundation will conduct a “Grom Search” talent initiative at Panambur Beach in collaboration with Panambur Surfing School, Mantra Surf Club, and Indica Surf School. The program is designed to identify and train young surfers from coastal Karnataka, offering them professional coaching and the chance to pursue both competitive surfing and alternative career paths.
The Indian Open of Surfing continues to play a pivotal role in fostering the country’s emerging surf culture, providing a platform for athletes and positioning India as a rising force in the global surfing community.